Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Dominic staggered forward, clutching his chest as a dark red stain rapidly spread across his crisp white shirt.
He collapsed onto the cobblestone street, gasping for air.
“Dominic!” Evelyn screamed, sprinting toward him.
She dropped to her knees, pressing her hands desperately against the bleeding wound.
“Caleb, call for help!” she yelled hysterically.
The tactical guards immediately swarmed the area, searching wildly for the sniper.
Dominic looked up at Evelyn, offering a weak, bloodstained smile.
“I’m sorry, Evie,” he whispered, his breathing shallow and ragged.
“I just wanted to keep you safe.”
“You’re going to be okay,” Evelyn sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
“Stay with me, Dominic.”
He reached up with a trembling hand, gently touching her pregnant stomach one last time.
Then, his eyes rolled back, and he went completely still.
Evelyn let out an agonizing, soul-shattering scream.
The Swiss police arrived moments later, securing the perimeter and calling an ambulance.
But it was too late.
Dominic Moretti was dead.
Three days later, Evelyn sat in a sterile interrogation room at the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Caleb stood behind her, acting as her legal counsel.
The Director of the FBI sat across from them, reviewing the contents of the black ledger.
“This is the most comprehensive evidence file we have ever seen,” the Director said, closing the book.
“Arrest warrants have already been issued for Victor Moretti, Richard Hart, Owen Price, and Vanessa Hart.”
“The entire syndicate is being dismantled as we speak.”
The Director looked at Evelyn with genuine respect.
“You did an incredible thing for this country, Mrs. Moretti.”
“You have full federal immunity, and we will set you up with a completely new identity.”
Evelyn nodded numbly, staring blankly at the metal table.
She had won.
She had secured her freedom, protected her baby, and destroyed the monsters who had ruined her life.
But the victory tasted entirely like ashes.
The man she loved was dead.
She stood up slowly, thanking the Director, and walked out of the building with Caleb.
They drove to a quiet, secure safe house in the Virginia countryside.
Evelyn walked into the master bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted.
She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memory of Dominic dying in her arms.
Suddenly, her burner phone vibrated on the nightstand.
It was an encrypted message from an unknown number.
She slowly opened the text.
May you like
The message contained a single, terrifying sentence.
"The body in the street was a body double, Evelyn; I am still alive, and you just handed my empire to the FBI."
